Roman Catholic Rite of Marriage Selecting Prayers ... · PDF fileIV. Liturgy of the Eucharist ... The Lord’s Prayer/Nuptial Blessing Song during Communion: ... Taste and See (Psalm

56

General Intercessions, Read by:

IV. Liturgy of the Eucharist

Presentation of the Gifts, Brought forward by:

Song at the Presentation of the Gifts:

Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer/Nuptial Blessing

Song during Communion:

Part V. Concluding Rite

Recessional Song:

St. Thomas Aquinas Church

13720 W. Thomas Road

Avondale, Arizona 85392

Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix

Roman Catholic Rite of Marriage

Selecting Prayers,

Readings,

&

Guidelines for Music

2

55

WEDDING LITURGY FOR MARRIAGE DURING MASS PLANNING SHEET

Bride’s Name:

Groom’s Name:

Phone: E-mail:

Date: Time:

Presiding Clergy:

Organist—Cantor:

Consent (p.5): A or B Blessing of Rings (p.5): 1 2 3 Rite of Marriage(p.7/12/16): A B C

Prelude Pieces:

I. Entrance Rite

Bridesmaids’ Procession:

Brides’ Procession:

II. Liturgy of the Word

Reading I: Read by:

Responsorial Psalm:

Reading II: Read by:

Gospel Acclamation and Verse

Gospel:

Homily

III. Rite of Marriage

�

54

SONGS

PRELUDE—PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS—REFLECTION

TITLE COMPOSER

Ave Maria Schubert

Ave Maria J. S. Bach/Charles Gounod

Blest Are They David Haas

God in the Planning Trad. Irish Tune

God is Love David Haas

Lord of All Hopefulness Jan Struther/Trad. Irish Tune

Love One Another James J. Chepponis

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling D. Rowland H. Prichard

This Day is Filled with Love so Bright Michael Praetorius

Unseen God, Your hand has Guided Christian F. Witt

When Love Is Found Brian Wren/Trad. English Tune

COMMUNION

Gift of Finest Wheat Omer Westendorf/Robert Kreutz

I Received the Living God Anonymous

Pan de Vida (John 13: 1-5, Galatians 3: 28-29) Bob Hurd and Pia Moriarty

Taste and See (Psalm 34) James E. Moore, Jr.

Take and Eat Michael Joncas

Panis Angelicus Cesar Franck

Though We Are Many Richard Proulx

Ubi Caritas Bob Hurd

PSALMS—RESPONSES

PSALM RESPONSE

Psalm 33:12, 18, 20-22 The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Psalm 34:2-9 I will bless the Lord at all times.

Psalm 34:2-9 Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Psalm 103:1-2, 8, 13, 17-18a The Lord is kind and merciful.

Psalm 112:1-9 Blessed the man who greatly delights in the Lord’s commands.

Psalm 128:1-5 Blessed are those who fear the Lord

3

CONTENTS

PRAYERS

Planning A Catholic Wedding

Selecting the Rite of Marriage.......................................................4

Selecting the Scripture Readings ..................................................4

Consent ......................................................................................................5

Blessings and Exchange of Rings...............................................................5

Rite of Marriage

Option A........................................................................................7

Option B......................................................................................12

Option C .....................................................................................16

READINGS

Liturgy of the Word

Old Testament Readings.............................................................21

New Testament Reading .............................................................30

Gospel Readings ..........................................................................42

MUSIC

Guidelines for Music

Selecting Music, Guidelines, Fees...............................................51

Suggested Music Selections

Instrumental ................................................................................53

Songs............................................................................................54

Psalms/Responses .......................................................................54

PLANNING SHEET

Wedding Liturgy

Planning Sheet.............................................................................55

4

Planning a Catholic Wedding

The Catholic Church provides three different forms of celebrating the Rite of Mar-

riage. When two Catholics are marrying, the celebration takes place within a Mass.

The second form, which may include a Mass, is used when a Catholic marries another

baptized Christian. A third form, outside Mass, is celebrated when a Catholic marries

someone who is not baptized. The second and third forms are structured around the

celebration of the Liturgy of the Word.

The couple chooses one of these options based on their particular circumstances in

conversation with the priest or deacon who will witness the marriage vows. Deacons

may celebrate the liturgy when the wedding is celebrated outside of Mass.

Within the Marriage Rite there two choices for the Consent, three choices for the

Blessing of the Rings, and three choices for the Prayers used throughout the Wedding

Rite. You choose one from each.

Scripture Readings

The readings at a Catholic wedding liturgy are a proclamation of God’s Word and of

the Church’s faith about marriage. For this reason, they are limited to readings from

the scriptures (the Bible). There are nine options for the first reading from the Old

Testament, thirteen options for the second reading from the New Testament and ten

choices for the Gospel. You choose one from each of these categories.

You may find it helpful to reflect prayerfully on each reading and to choose those that

speak to your hopes and dreams for your Christian marriage.

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ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHURCH—SUGGESTED MUSIC SELECTIONS

INSTRUMENTAL SELECTIONS

PRELUDES

TITLE COMPOSER

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring Johann Sebastian Bach

Ave Maria (organ) J. S. Bach/Charles Gounod

Canon in D Johann Pachelbel

Air from Orchestral Suite No. 3 Johann Sebastian Bach

Arioso Johann Sebastian Bach

Sheep May Safely Graze Johann Sebastian Bach

PROCESSIONALS

Prince of Denmark’s March (Trumpet Voluntary) Jeremiah Clarke

Trumpet Tune Henry Purcell

Canon in D Johann Pachelbel

Rondeau Joseph Mouret

RECESSIONALS

Hornpipe from Water Music George Frederic Handel

Ode to Joy from Symphony No. 9 Ludwig van Beethoven

Arrival of the Queen of Sheba George Frederic Handel

In Thee Is Gladness Johann Sebastian Bach

The Seasons (Spring) Vivaldi

Toccata from Symphony No.5 Charles-Marie Widor

52

Pastoral: Does the music allow the guests to participate in singing and praying?

Have you chosen music that people, even guests from other faith traditions,

will know? Also keep in mind that as a ministry of the church, music should

be led and produced by real people, rather than recordings.

A sample recording of pieces that meet these criteria and are appropriate for worship

is provided by the Parish Office with your wedding packet.

Musicians and Fees

St. Thomas Aquinas has several professional musicians on staff who will be happy to

assist with the music for your wedding. A cantor and an organist are present at every

wedding liturgy. The organist provides prelude music as the guests are being seated,

accompanies the processions, and supports congregational singing. The cantor leads

the Responsorial Psalm and any other congregational songs, or may be asked to sing a

solo. Our current rate for musicians is $380 for the cantor and organist, payable by

check made out to St. Thomas Aquinas parish. If you would like additional

instrumentalists (for example, trumpet, flute, strings), the music director can contract

them for an additional fee. Any outside musicians must be approved by the Director

of Music. A bench fee will be applied when an outside organist is permitted to play.

Typically, musicians are not present for the wedding rehearsal. If you wish for the

musicians to be present at any rehearsal, our musicians can provide this service for an

additional fee.

We look forward to helping you plan your special day!

5

CONSENT

A I, (Bridegroom/Bride), take you, (Bride/Bridegroom) to my (wife/

husband). I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness

and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.

B I, (Bridegroom/Bride), take you, (Bride/Bridegroom) to my lawful (wife/

husband), to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse,

for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.

BLESSING AND EXCHANGE OF RINGS

1

May the Lord bless � these rings

which you give to each other

as the sign of your love and fidelity.

R/. Amen.

2

Lord, bless these rings which we bless � in your name.

Grant that those who wear them

may always have a deep faith in each other.

May they do your will

and always live together.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

3 Lord,

bless � and consecrate N. and N.

in their love for each other.

May these rings be a symbol

of true faith in each other,

and always remind them of their love.

Through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

6

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Introduction

Planning a wedding is an exciting time, filled with many choices. One of the most

important decisions you will make as you prepare the details of the wedding

ceremony is the choice of music. Music has long played a vital role in Christian

worship—it sets the tone of the celebration and enhances the Church’s prayer. The

music ministry of St. Thomas Aquinas is committed to providing music for your

wedding that is appropriate for worship and reflects your faith as a couple.

Musical Selections

Verena Anders, the Director of Music, will be happy to assist you in selecting the

music for your special day. You should plan to meet with her approximately six

weeks before the wedding. As you begin to choose music for your wedding, there

are three important criteria that should guide your decision:

Liturgical: Is the text of a piece that you have chosen consistent with the faith of

the Church? Is the piece approved for use in Roman Catholic liturgy? Is it a

sacred song, rather than a secular song that is not permitted for use in

worship? Where is the piece to be used during the liturgy?

Musical: Is the music aesthetically pleasing, and worthy of use in Catholic

liturgy? Good music can exist in a variety of styles – classical, folk,

contemporary, cultural, etc. Will the music enhance the liturgy and help

those who are gathered to pray, rather than draw attention to itself?

SELECTING MUSIC

FOR YOUR WEDDING LITURGY

St. Thomas Aquinas Church Ms. Verena Lucía Anders

13720 W. Thomas Rd. Director of Music

Avondale, AZ 85392 [email protected]

(623) 935-2151 x212

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7

Rite of Marriage

A

COLLECT

Be attentive to our prayers, O Lord,

and in your kindness uphold

what you have established

for the increase of the human race,

so that the union you have created

may be kept safe by your assistance.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Or:

O God, who in creating the human race

willed that man and wife should be one,

join, we pray, in a bond of inseparable love

these your servants who are to be united

in the covenant of Marriage,

so that, as you make their love fruitful,

they may become, by your grace,

witnesses to charity itself.


Who lives and reigns with you



8

PRAYER OVER

THE OFFERINGS

Receive, we pray, O Lord,

the offering made on the occasion

of this sealing of the sacred bond of Marriage,

and, just as your goodness is its origin,

may your providence guide its course.


PREFACE

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,

Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.

For you have forged the covenant of marriage

as a sweet yoke of harmony

and an unbreakable bond of peace,

so that the chaste and fruitful love of holy Matrimony

may serve to increase the children you adopt as your own.

By your providence and grace, O Lord,

you accomplish the wonder of this twofold design:

that, while the birth of children brings beauty to the world,

their rebirth in Baptism gives increase to the Church,

through Christ our Lord.

Through him, with the Angels and all the Saints,

we sing the hymn of your praise,

as without end we acclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts…

49

Father, they are your gift to me.

I wish that where I am they also may be with me,

that they may see my glory that you gave me,

because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,

but I know you, and they know that you sent me.

I made known to them your name and I will make it known,

that the love with which you loved me

may be in them and I in them.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

OR

10b. John 17:20-23 (Short Form)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:

“Holy Father, I pray not only for these,

but also for those who will believe in me through their word,

so that they may all be one,

as you, Father, are in me and I in you,

that they also may be in us,

that the world may believe that you sent me.

And I have given them the glory you gave me,

so that they may be one, as we are one,

I in them and you in me,

that they may be brought to perfection as one,

that the world may know that you sent me,

and that you loved them even as you loved me.”

The Gospel of the Lord

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9. John 15:12-16


Jesus said to his disciples:

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

No one has greater love than this,

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

I no longer call you slaves,

because a slave does not know what his master is doing.

I have called you friends,

because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.

It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you

and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,

so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.”


10a. John 17:20-26 (Long Form)


Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:

“I pray not only for my disciples,

but also for those who will believe in me through their word,

so that they may all be one,

as you, Father, are in me and I in you,

that they also may be in us,

that the world may believe that you sent me.

And I have given them the glory you gave me,

so that they may be one, as we are one,

I in them and you in me,

that they may be brought to perfection as one,

that the world may know that you sent me,

and that you loved them even as you loved me.

9

NUPTIAL BLESSING

Dear brothers and sisters,

let us humbly pray to the Lord

that on these his servants, now married in Christ,

he may mercifully pour out

the blessing of his grace

and make of one heart in love

(by the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood)

those he has joined by a holy covenant.

O God, who by your mighty power

created all things out of nothing,

and, when you had set in place

the beginnings of the universe,

formed man and woman in your own image,

making the woman an inseparable helpmate to the man,

that they might no longer be two, but one flesh,

and taught that what you were pleased to make one

must never be divided;

O God, who consecrated the bond of Marriage

by so great a mystery

that in the wedding covenant you foreshadowed

the Sacrament of Christ and his Church;

O God, by whom woman is joined to man

and the companionship they had in the beginning

is endowed with the one blessing

not forfeited by original sin

nor washed away by the flood.

10

Look now with favor on these your servants,

joined together in Marriage,

who ask to be strengthened by your blessing.

Send down on them the grace of the Holy Spirit

and pour your love into their hearts,

that they may remain faithful in the Marriage covenant.

May the grace of love and peace

abide in your daughter N.,

and let her always follow the example

of those holy women

whose praises are sung in the Scriptures.

May her husband entrust his heart to her,

so that, acknowledging her as his equal

and his joint heir to the life of grace,

he may show her due honor

and cherish her always

with the love that Christ has for his Church.

And now, Lord, we implore you:

may these your servants

hold fast to the faith and keep your commandments;

made one in the flesh,

may they be blameless in all they do;

and with the strength that comes from the Gospel,

may they bear true witness to Christ before all;

(may they be blessed with children,

and prove themselves virtuous parents,

who live to see their children’s children).

And grant that,

reaching at last together the fullness of years

for which they hope,

they may come to the life of the blessed

in the Kingdom of Heaven.


R/. Amen.

47

So they took it.

And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine,

without knowing where it came from

(although the servants who had drawn the water knew),

the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him,

“Everyone serves good wine first,

and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one;

but you have kept the good wine until now.”

Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee

and so revealed his glory,

and his disciples began to believe in him.


8. John 15:9-12



“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.

Remain in my love.

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,

just as I have kept my Father’s commandments

and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you

and your joy might be complete.

This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”


46

6. Mark 10:6-9

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

Jesus said:

“From the beginning of creation,

God made them male and female.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother

and be joined to his wife,

and the two shall become one flesh.

So they are no longer two but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together,

no human being must separate.”


7. John 2:1-11


There was a wedding in Cana in Galilee,

and the mother of Jesus was there.

Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.

When the wine ran short,

the mother of Jesus said to him,

“They have no wine.”

And Jesus said to her,

“Woman, how does your concern affect me?

My hour has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servers,

“Do whatever he tells you.”

Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings,

each holding twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus told them,

“Fill the jars with water.”

So they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them,

“Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.”

11

PRAYER AFTER

COMMUNION

By the power of this sacrifice, O Lord,

accompany with your loving favor

what in your providence you have instituted,

so as to make of one heart in love

those you have already joined in this holy union

(and replenished with the one Bread and the one Chalice).


SOLEMN BLESSING

AT THE END OF MASS

May God the eternal Father

keep you of one heart in love for one another,

that the peace of Christ may dwell in you

and abide always in your home.

R/. Amen.

May you be blessed in your children,

have solace in your friends

and enjoy true peace with everyone.

R/. Amen

May you be witnesses in the world to God’s charity,

so that the afflicted and needy

who have known your kindness

may one day receive you thankfully

into the eternal dwelling of God.

R/. Amen

And may almighty God bless all of you

who are gathered here,

the Father, and the Son, � and the Holy Spirit.

R/. Amen

12

B

COLLECT

Be attentive to our prayers, O Lord,

and in your kindness

pour out your grace on these your servants (N. and N.),

that, coming together before your altar,

they may be confirmed in love for one another.





OR

O God, who consecrated the bond of Marriage

by so great a mystery

that in the wedding covenant you foreshadow

the Sacrament of Christ and his Church,

grant, we pray, to these your servants,

that what they receive in faith

they may live out in deeds.





PRAYER OVER

THE OFFERINGS

Receive in your kindness, Lord,

the offerings we bring in gladness before you,

and in your fatherly love

watch over those you have joined

in a sacramental covenant.


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4. Matthew19:3-6

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying,

“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?”

He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning

the Creator made them male and female and said,

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother

and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?

So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.”


5. Matthew 22:35-40


One of the Pharisees, a scholar of the law, tested Jesus by asking,

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

He said to him,

“You shall love the Lord, your God,

with all your heart,

with all your soul,

and with all your mind.

This is the greatest and the first commandment.

The second is like it:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”


44

The rain fell, the floods came,

and the winds blew and buffeted the house.

And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

When Jesus finished these words,

the crowds were astonished at his teaching,

for he taught them as one having authority,

and not as their scribes.


OR

3b. Matthew 7:21, 24-25 (Short Form)



“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’

will enter the Kingdom of heaven,

but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them

will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.



But it did not collapse;

it had been set solidly on rock.”


13

PREFACE



Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,


For in him you have made a new covenant

with your people,

so that, as you have redeemed man and woman

by the mystery of Christ’s Death and Resurrection,

so in Christ you might make them

partakers of divine nature

and joint heirs with him of heavenly glory..

In the union of husband and wife

you give a sign of Christ’s loving gift of grace,

so that the Sacrament we celebrate

might draw us back more deeply

into the wondrous design of your love.

And so, with the Angels and all the Saints,

we praise you, and without end we acclaim:


NUPTIAL

BLESSING

Holy Father,

who formed man in your own image,

male and female you created them,

so that as husband and wife, united in body and heart,

they might fulfill their calling in the world;

14

O God, who, to reveal the great design

you formed in your love,

willed that the love of spouses for each other

should foreshadow the covenant

you graciously made with your people,

so that, by fulfillment of the sacramental sign,

the mystical marriage of Christ with his Church

might become manifest

in the union of husband and wife among your faithful;

Graciously stretch out your right hand

over these your servants (N. and N.), we pray,

and pour into their hearts the power of the Holy Spirit.

Grant, O Lord,

that, as they enter upon this sacramental union,

they may share with one another the gifts of your love

and, by being for each other a sign of your presence,

become one heart and one mind.

May they also sustain, O Lord, by their deeds

the home they are forming

(and prepare their children

to become members of your heavenly household

by raising them in the way of the Gospel).

Graciously crown with your blessings your daughter N.,

so that, by being a good wife (and mother),

she may bring warmth to her home

with a love that is pure

and adorn it with welcoming graciousness.

Bestow a heavenly blessing also, O Lord,

on N., your servant,

that he may be a worthy, good and

faithful husband (and a provident father).

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2. Matthew 5:13-16



“You are the salt of the earth.

But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?

It is no longer good for anything

but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

You are the light of the world.

A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.

Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;

it is set on a lamp stand,

here it gives light to all in the house.

Just so, your light must shine before others,

that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your heavenly Father.”


3a. Matthew 7:21, 24-29 (Long Form)



“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’

will enter the Kingdom of heaven,

but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them

will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.



But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.

And everyone who listens to these words of mine

but does not act on them

will be like a fool who built his house on sand.

42

Gospel Readings

1. Matthew 5:1-12a


When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,

and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad,

for your reward will be great in heaven.”


15

Grant, holy Father,

that desiring to approach your table

as a couple joined in Marriage in your presence,

they may one day have the joy

of taking part in your great banquet in heaven.


R/. Amen

PRAYER AFTER

COMMUNION

Having been made partakers at your table,

we pray, O Lord,

that those who are united by the Sacrament of Marriage

may always hold fast to you

and proclaim your name to the world.


SOLEMN BLESSING

AT THE END OF MASS

May God the all-powerful Father grant you his joy

and bless you in your children.

R/. Amen.

May the Only Begotten Son of God

stand by you with compassion in good times and in bad.

R/. Amen.

May the Holy Spirit of God

always pour forth his love into your hearts.

R/. Amen




R/. Amen

16

C

COLLECT

Grant, we pray, almighty God,

that these your servants,

now to be joined by the Sacrament of Matrimony,

may grow in the faith they profess

and enrich your Church with faithful offspring.





OR

O God, who since the beginning of the world

have blessed the increase of offspring,

show favor to our supplications

and pour forth the help of your blessing

on these your servants (N. and N.),

So that in the union of marriage

they may be bound together

in mutual affection,

in likeness of mind,

and in shared holiness.





41

Beloved, if God so loved us,

we also must love one another.

No one has ever seen God.

Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us,

and his love is brought to perfection in us.

The word of the Lord.

13. Revelation 19:1, 5-9a

A reading from the Book of Revelation

I, John, heard what sounded like the loud voice

of a great multitude in heaven, saying:

“Alleluia!

Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God.”

A voice coming from the throne said:

“Praise our God, all you his servants,

and you who revere him, small and great.”

Then I heard something like the sound of a great multitude

or the sound of rushing water or mighty peals of thunder,

as they said:

“Alleluia!

The Lord has established his reign,

our God, the almighty.

Let us rejoice and be glad

and give him glory.

For the wedding day of the Lamb has come,

his bride has made herself ready.

She was allowed to wear

a bright, clean linen garment.”

(The linen represents the righteous deeds of the holy ones.)

Then the angel said to me,

“Write this:

Blessed are those who have been called

to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”


40

11. 1 John 3:18-24

A reading from the first Letter of Saint John

Children, let us love not in word or speech

but in deed and truth.

Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth

and reassure our hearts before him

in whatever our hearts condemn,

for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.

Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us,

we have confidence in God

and receive from him whatever we ask,

because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

And his commandment is this:

we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,

and love one another just as he commanded us.

Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,

and the way we know that he remains in us

is from the Spirit that he gave us.


12. 1 John 4:7-12

A reading from the first Letter of Saint John

Beloved, let us love one another,

because love is of God;

everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.

Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.

In this way the love of God was revealed to us:

God sent his only-begotten Son into the world

so that we might have life through him.

In this is love:

not that we have loved God, but that he loved us

and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

17

PRAYER OVER

THE OFFERINGS

Show favor to our supplications, O Lord,

and receive with a kindly countenance

the oblations we offer for these your servants,

joined now in a holy covenant,

that through these mysteries

they may be strengthened

in love for one another and for you.


PREFACE



Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.

For you willed that the human race,

created by the gift of your goodness,

should be raised to such high dignity

that in the union of husband and wife

you might bestow a true image of your love.

For those you created out of charity

you call to the law of charity without ceasing

and grant them a share in your eternal charity.

And so, the Sacrament of holy matrimony,

as the abiding sign of your own love,

consecrated the love of man and woman,


Through him, with the Angels and all the Saints,

we sing the hymn of your praise,

as without end we acclaim:


18

NUPTIAL

BLESSING

Let us humbly invoke by our prayers,

dear brothers and sisters,

God’s blessing upon this bride and groom,

that in his kindness he may favor with his help

those on whom he has bestowed

the Sacrament of Matrimony.

Holy Father, maker of the whole world,

who created man and woman in your own image

and willed that their union be crowned with your blessing,

we humbly beseech you for these your servants,

who are joined today in the Sacrament of Matrimony.

May your abundant blessing, Lord,

come down upon this bride, N.,

and upon N., her companion for life,

and may the power of your Holy Spirit

set their hearts aflame from on high,

so that, living out together the gift of Matrimony,

they may (adorn their family with children

and) enrich the Church.

In happiness may they praise you, O Lord,

in sorrow may they seek you out;

may they have the joy of your presence

to assist them in their toil,

and know that you are near

to comfort them in their need;

let them pray to you in the holy assembly

and bear witness to you in the world,

and after a happy old age,

together with the circle of friends that surrounds them,

may they come to the Kingdom of Heaven.


R/. Amen

39

10. Peter 3:1-9

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Peter

Beloved:

You wives should be subordinate to your husbands so that,

even if some disobey the word,

they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct

when they observe your reverent and chaste behavior.

Your adornment should not be an external one:

braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or dressing in fine clothes,

but rather the hidden character of the heart,

expressed in the imperishable beauty

of a gentle and calm disposition,

which is precious in the sight of God.

For this is also how the holy women who hoped in God

once used to adorn themselves

and were subordinate to their husbands;

thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him “lord.”

You are her children when you do what is good

and fear no intimidation.

Likewise, you husbands should live with your wives in understanding,

showing honor to the weaker female sex,

since we are joint heirs of the gift of life,

so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Finally, all of you, be of one mind, sympathetic,

loving toward one another, compassionate, humble.

Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult;

but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called,

that you might inherit a blessing.


38

And over all these put on love,

that is, the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,

the peace into which you were also called in one Body.

And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,

as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,

singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs

with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or in deed,

do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him.


9. Hebrews 13:1-4a, 5-6b

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Brothers and sisters:

Let mutual love continue.

Do not neglect hospitality,

for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.

Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment,

and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,

for you also are in the body.

Let marriage be honored among all

and the marriage bed be kept undefiled.

Let your life be free from love of money

but be content with what you have,

for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.

Thus we may say with confidence:

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not be afraid.


19

PRAYER AFTER

COMMUNION

Grant, we pray, almighty God,

that the power of the Sacrament we have received

may find growth in these your servants

and that the effects of the sacrifice we have offered

may be felt by us all.


SOLEMN BLESSING

AT THE END OF MASS

May the lord Jesus,

who graced the marriage at Cana by his presence,

bless you and your loved ones.

R/. Amen

May he, who loved the Church to the end,

unceasingly pour his love into your hearts.

R/. Amen

May the Lord grant

that, bearing witness to faith in his Resurrection,

you may await with joy the blessed hope to come.

R/. Amen




R/. Amen

20

37

7. Philippians 4:4-9

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians


Rejoice in the Lord always.

I shall say it again: rejoice!

Your kindness should be known to all.

The Lord is near.

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

make your requests known to God.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters,

whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,

if there is any excellence

and if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

Keep on doing what you have learned and received

and heard and seen in me.

Then the God of peace will be with you.


8. Colossians 3:12-17

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians


Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,

heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

bearing with one another and forgiving one another,

if one has a grievance against another;

as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.

36

This is a great mystery,

but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church.

In any case, each one of you should love his wife as himself,

and the wife should respect her husband.


OR

6b. Ephesians 5:2a, 25-32 (Short Form)

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians


Live in love, as Christ loved us

and handed himself over for us.

Husbands, love your wives,

even as Christ loved the Church

and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,

cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,

that he might present to himself the Church in splendor,

without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,

that she might be holy and without blemish.

So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.

He who loves his wife loves himself.

For no one hates his own flesh

but rather nourishes and cherishes it,

even as Christ does the Church,

because we are members of his Body.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother



This is a great mystery,

but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church.


21

Old Testament Readings

1. Genesis 1:26-28, 31a

A reading from the Book of Genesis

Then God said:

“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.

Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,

the birds of the air, and the cattle,

and over all the wild animals

and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.”

God created man in his image;

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

God blessed them, saying:

“Be fertile and multiply;

fill the earth and subdue it.

Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air,

and all the living things that move on the earth.”

God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.


2. Genesis 2:18-24


The Lord God said: “It is not good for the man to be alone.

I will make a suitable partner for him.”

So the Lord God formed out of the ground

various wild animals and various birds of the air,

and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them;

whatever the man called each of them would be its name.

The man gave names to all the cattle,

all the birds of the air, and all wild animals;

but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.

22

So the Lord God cast a deep sleep on the man,

and while he was asleep,

he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.

The Lord God then built up into a woman the rib

that he had taken from the man.

When he brought her to the man, the man said:

“This one, at last, is bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

This one shall be called ‘woman,’

for out of ‘her man’ this one has been taken.”

That is why a man leaves his father and mother

and clings to his wife,

and the two of them become one body.


3. Genesis 24:48-51, 58-67


The servant of Abraham said to Laban:

“I bowed down in worship to the Lord,

blessing the Lord, the God of my master Abraham,

who had led me on the right road

to obtain the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son.

If, therefore, you have in mind to show true loyalty to my master,

let me know;

but if not, let me know that, too.

I can then proceed accordingly.”

Laban and his household said in reply:

“This thing comes from the Lord;

we can say nothing to you either for or against it.

Here is Rebekah, ready for you;

take her with you,

that she may become the wife of your master’s son,

as the Lord has said.”

35

6a. Ephesians5:2a, 21-33 (Long Form)

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians


Live in love, as Christ loved us

and handed himself over for us.

Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.

For the husband is head of his wife

just as Christ is head of the Church,

he himself the savior of the body.

As the Church is subordinate to Christ,

so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives,

even as Christ loved the Church

and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,

cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,

that he might present to himself the Church in splendor,

without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,

that she might be holy and without blemish.

So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.

He who loves his wife loves himself.

For no one hates his own flesh

but rather nourishes and cherishes it,

even as Christ does the Church,

because we are members of his Body.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother



34

5. 1 Corinthians 12:31–13:8a

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians


Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.

But I shall show you a still more excellent way.

If I speak in human and angelic tongues

but do not have love,

I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.

And if I have the gift of prophecy

and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge;

if I have all faith so as to move mountains,

but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give away everything I own,

and if I hand my body over so that I may boast

but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.

It is not jealous, is not pompous,

it is not inflated, it is not rude,

it does not seek its own interests,

it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over

wrongdoing

but rejoices with the truth.

It bears all things, believes all things,

hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.


23

So they called Rebekah and asked her,

“Do you wish to go with this man?”

She answered, “I do.”

At this they allowed their sister Rebekah and her nurse to take leave,

along with Abraham’s servant and his men.

Invoking a blessing on Rebekah, they said:

“Sister, may you grow

into thousands of myriads;

And may your descendants gain possession

of the gates of their enemies!”

Then Rebekah and her maids started out;

they mounted their camels and followed the man.

So the servant took Rebekah and went on his way.

Meanwhile Isaac had gone from Beer-lahai-roi

and was living in the region of the Negeb.

One day toward evening he went out . . . in the field,

and as he looked around, he noticed that camels were approaching.

Rebekah, too, was looking about, and when she saw him,

she alighted from her camel and asked the servant,

“Who is the man out there, walking through the fields toward us?”

“That is my master,” replied the servant.

Then she covered herself with her veil.

The servant recounted to Isaac all the things he had done.

Then Isaac took Rebekah into his tent;

he married her, and thus she became his wife.

In his love for her Isaac found solace

after the death of his mother Sarah.


24

4. Tobit 7:6-14

A reading from the Book of Tobit

Raphael and Tobiah entered the house of Raguel and greeted him.

Raguel sprang up and kissed Tobiah, shedding tears of joy.

But when he heard that Tobit had lost his eyesight,

he was grieved and wept aloud.

He said to Tobiah:

“My child, God bless you!

You are the son of a noble and good father.

But what a terrible misfortune

that such a righteous and charitable man

should be afflicted with blindness!”

He continued to weep in the arms of his kinsman Tobiah.

His wife Edna also wept for Tobit;

and even their daughter Sarah began to weep.

Afterward, Raguel slaughtered a ram from the flock

and gave them a cordial reception.

When they had bathed and reclined to eat,

Tobiah said to Raphael, “Brother Azariah,

ask Raguel to let me marry my kinswoman Sarah.”

Raguel overheard the words;

so he said to the boy:

“Eat and drink and be merry tonight,

for no man is more entitled to marry my daughter Sarah

than you, brother.

Besides, not even I have the right to give her to anyone but you,

because you are my closest relative.

But I will explain the situation to you very frankly.

I have given her in marriage to seven men,

all of whom were kinsmen of ours,

and all died on the very night they approached her.

But now, son, eat and drink.

I am sure the Lord will look after you both.”

Tobiah answered, “I will eat or drink nothing

until you set aside what belongs to me.”

33

For Christ did not please himself.

May the God of endurance and encouragement

grant you to think in harmony with one another,

in keeping with Christ Jesus,

that with one accord you may with one voice

glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you,

for the glory of God.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.


4. 1 Corinthians. 6:13c-15a, 17-20

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians


The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord,

and the Lord is for the body;

God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power.

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?

Whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

Avoid immorality.

Every other sin a person commits is outside the body,

but the immoral person sins against his own body.

Do you not know that your body

is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,

whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

For you have been purchased at a price.

Therefore glorify God in your body.


32

OR

2b.Romans 12:1-2, 9-13 (Short Form)

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God,

to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,

holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.

Do not conform yourselves to this age

but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,

that you may discern what is the will of God,

what is good and pleasing and perfect.

Let love be sincere;

hate what is evil,

hold on to what is good;

love one another with mutual affection;

anticipate one another in showing honor.

Do not grow slack in zeal,

be fervent in spirit,

serve the Lord.

Rejoice in hope,

endure in affliction,

persevere in prayer.

Contribute to the needs of the holy ones,

exercise hospitality.


3. Romans15:1b-3a, 5-7, 13



We ought to put up with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves;

let each of us please our neighbor for the good,

for building up.

25

Raguel said to him: “I will do it.

She is yours according to the decree of the Book of Moses.

Your marriage to her has been decided in heaven!

Take your kinswoman

from now on you are her love,

and she is your beloved.

She is yours today and ever after.

And tonight, son, may the Lord of heaven prosper you both.

May he grant you mercy and peace.”

Then Raguel called his daughter Sarah, and she came to him.

He took her by the hand and gave her to Tobiah with the words:

“Take her according to the law.

According to the decree written in the Book of Moses she is your wife.

Take her and bring her back safely to your father.

And may the God of heaven grant both of you peace and prosperity.”

He then called her mother and told her to bring a scroll,

so that he might draw up a marriage contract

stating that he gave Sarah to Tobiah as his wife

according to the decree of the Mosaic law.

Her mother brought the scroll,

and he drew up the contract,

to which they affixed their seal.

Afterward they began to eat and drink.


5. Tobit 8:4b-8

A reading from the Book of Tobit

On their wedding night Tobiah arose from bed and said to his wife,

“Sister, get up. Let us pray and beg our Lord

to have mercy on us and to grant us deliverance.”

Sarah got up, and they started to pray

and beg that deliverance might be theirs.

They began with these words:

26

“Blessed are you, O God of our fathers;

praised be your name forever and ever.

Let the heavens and all your creation

praise you forever.

You made Adam and you gave him his wife Eve

to be his help and support;

and from these two the human race descended.

You said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone;

let us make him a partner like himself.’

Now, Lord, you know that I take this wife of mine

not because of lust,

but for a noble purpose.

Call down your mercy on me and on her,

and allow us to live together to a happy old age.”

They said together, “Amen, amen.”


6. Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

A reading from the Book of Proverbs

When one finds a worthy wife,

her value is far beyond pearls.

Her husband, entrusting his heart to her,

has an unfailing prize.

She brings him good, and not evil,

all the days of her life.

She obtains wool and flax

and makes cloth with skillful hands.

She puts her hands to the distaff,

and her fingers ply the spindle.

She reaches out her hands to the poor,

and extends her arms to the needy.

31

2a. Romans 12:1-2, 9-18 (Long Form)


I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God,

to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,

holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.

Do not conform yourselves to this age

but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,

that you may discern what is the will of God,

what is good and pleasing and perfect.

Let love be sincere;

hate what is evil,

hold on to what is good;

love one another with mutual affection;

anticipate one another in showing honor.

Do not grow slack in zeal,

be fervent in spirit,

serve the Lord.

Rejoice in hope,

endure in affliction,

persevere in prayer.

Contribute to the needs of the holy ones,

exercise hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you,

bless and do not curse them.

Rejoice with those who rejoice,

weep with those who weep.

Have the same regard for one another;

do not be haughty but associate with the lowly;

do not be wise in your own estimation.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil;

be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all.

If possible, on your part, live at peace with all.


30

New Testament Readings

1. Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39



If God is for us, who can be against us?

He did not spare his own Son

but handed him over for us all,

how will he not also give us everything else along with him?

Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones?

It is God who acquits us.

Who will condemn?

It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised,

who also is at the right hand of God,

who indeed intercedes for us.

What will separate us from the love of Christ?

Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine,

or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?

No, in all these things, we conquer overwhelmingly

through him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,

nor angels, nor principalities,

nor present things, nor future things,

nor powers, nor height, nor depth,

nor any other creature will be able to separate us

from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.


27

Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;

the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her a reward of her labors,

and let her works praise her at the city gates.


7. Song of Songs 2:8-10, 14, 16a; 8:6-7a

A reading from the Song of Songs

Hark! my lover–here he comes

springing across the mountains,

leaping across the hills.

My lover is like a gazelle

or a young stag.

Here he stands behind our wall,

gazing through the windows,

peering through the lattices.

My lover speaks; he says to me,

“Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one, and come!

“O my dove in the clefts of the rock,

in the secret recesses of the cliff,

Let me see you,

let me hear your voice,

for your voice is sweet,

and you are lovely.”

My lover belongs to me and I to him.

He says to me:

28

“Set me as a seal on your heart,

as a seal on your arm;

For stern as death is love,

relentless as the nether world is devotion;

its flames are a blazing fire.

Deep waters cannot quench love,

nor floods sweep it away.”


8. Sirach 26:1-4, 13-16

A reading from the Book of Sirach

Blessed the husband of a good wife,

twice-lengthened are his days;

A worthy wife brings joy to her husband,

peaceful and full is his life.

A good wife is a generous gift

bestowed upon him who fears the Lord;

Be he rich or poor, his heart is content,

and a smile is ever on his face.

A gracious wife delights her husband,

her thoughtfulness puts flesh on his bones;

A gift from the Lord is her governed speech,

and her firm virtue is of surpassing worth.

Choicest of blessings is a modest wife,

priceless her chaste soul.

A holy and decent woman adds grace upon grace;

indeed, no price is worthy of her temperate soul.

Like the sun rising in the Lord’s heavens,

the beauty of a virtuous wife is the radiance of her home.


29

9. Jeremiah 31:31-32a, 33-34a

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah

The days are coming, says the Lord,

when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel

and the house of Judah.

It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers:

the day I took them by the hand

to lead them forth from the land of Egypt.

But this is the covenant which I will make

with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord.

I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts;

I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives

how to know the Lord.

All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the Lord.


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